Details are beginning to emerge about the man accused of attacking his 4-year-old son and literally biting one of his eyes out. The boy remains hospitalized and it is not known if he is blind in one or both eyes. This is the most talked about story in town, an utterly outrageous and disgusting story, and it has captured the attention of readers across the globe. The suspectg, confined to a wheelchair, was apparently on some kind of drug rage when he attacked his son. The boy told police: "Daddy ate my eyes out." The latest details come from KBAK TV's Carol Ferguson, a longtime veteran reporter who knows how to work a story.(read her report here) She tracked down friends of the suspect, Angelo Mendoza Sr., who said he had been enrolled at Bakersfield College last year and had been training for a long bike ride in his wheelchair. And, to the first of my knowledge, Ferguson tracked down the boy's mother (lots of questions about where she was since the boy was living with his father).
From the KBAK report:
"The child's mother, who called herself Desirae but would not disclose her last name, said Mendoza has been wheelchair-bound since December 2004 when he was stabbed in the back and left paralyzed from the waist down. Desirae said Mendoza had hoped to organize a bicycle ride from Disneyland to Disney World."
KBAK also quoted another friend, Harvey Clowers, as saying Mendoza seemed enthusiastic about wheelchair sports but had recently showed a change in attitude.
"It just seems like ... he had a wild look in his eyes," Clowers said on Wednesday. "He was kind of speeding around, rolling fast and just moving around like he was under the influence of something."
Photo courtesy of KBAK TV website
12 comments:
Hi Richard
You are right about this capturing attention worldwide, my family and I live in New Zealand and we read about this online. It just about broke my heart when I read what he said to the police like everyone who reads the paper I hear about crap things happening all the time but this is the first time I have been moved enough to do something about it and I think it is those words that have made such an impact on me (or I could just be going soft as I get older). I contacted CPS in Bakersfield but they can't give out info or let you help and they said they will let me know if a Trust is set up for him, thats great but I think what he really needs is a safe and loving home top go to when he gets out of hospital not some money. Anyway if you hear anymore about how he is getting on we would love to hear about him and if you think there is anything we can do from the other side of the world also please let us know.
Regards
Dean
Hi Richard
I read your blog about Angelo Mendoza and you are quite right about this capturing the attention of people across the globe, I am from New Zealand and read this story and it made me feel sick. I am a father of two kids (aged 2 and 3) and I can't imagine what it would be like for a child to be turned on like that by the one person who they rely on to protect and look after them, it just about broke my heart when I read what he said to the police, like everyone who reads the paper I hear about crap things happening all the time but this is the first time I have been moved enough to do something about it and I think it is those words that have made such an impact on me (or I could just be going soft as I get older).
I contacted the Bakersfield CPS and they are unable to share any info or let anyone offer any assistance to this poor kid but did say they will let me know if a trust is set up, that os great but I think what he really needs is a safe and loving environment to grow up in when he gets out of hospital (for everyones sake). Appreciate if you could keep everyone updated with what happens to the kid and if there is anything we can do for him from the other side of the world let us know.
The Frost Family
Forgot to ask- if you know if/how we can send gifts or messages to Angelo please let us know.
Thanks Again
Dean:
Thanks for the note and I will try to keep you updated as things develop. We are considering establishing a trust fund for the kid but that cannot happen until next week (long holiday weekend here) Thanks for your interest. This truly is a heartbreaking story and speaks to the scourge of drugs and lack of education and gang and people having kids when they perhaps should not. More later. Thanks for the note.
If you would like to help and find out more information. Please visit our website. we are having a motorcycle ride to help raise money for Baby Angel. I am best friends going on 14 years with Jesse(the fathers brother). We would truely appreciate your support! Thank you!
www.imforeverchanged.com
I wonder if there are any other organizations that could take up this cause and help make it national news. The boy needs help, but more than that, the child protection laws need reform. As it stands, CPS cannot possibly provide service to all of the heartbreaking cases that are out there, so it is essential to raise public awareness so that more groups can be funded to help these victims...hopefully before they need it.
I agree with everyone's comments so far. I too have been so touched by this story and truly wish I could do something for this sweet little boy. Like Dean, I also contacted Kern County CPS and have not heard back from them -- my hope was simply to send gift cards or special toys or music therapy (designed for blind children) to CPS, who in turn, I would expect to send directly the boy's current foster family. I haven't heard back from them either... damn it.
Anyway, in the meantime, I will check out the website listed above. As for a trust fund of some kind, please keep us all posted.
Here's another idea -- what if we bombard the Dr. Phil show and/or Oprah with requests to tell this story AND HELP THE BOY??
I am just beside myself thinking about the quality of life (or lack of) he will have in the foster system.... I hope he is with an attentive and nurturing family now -- its the least we as a society could offer him... :(
Is it possible to adopt this little child?
I am willing to help!
is it possible to adopt this little child?
Oh, I am so glad I found this! This story too has been haunting me. I have been bursting out into tears everyday thinking of that sweet boy. I am in total agreeance about hounding the Oprah and Dr. Phil shows! I can't believe the lack of attention this story has gotten. I'm looking forward to reading of ways to help.
Kerrin
Anonymous
Does someone know how is little Angelo? how is he doing? There is any information about his other eye...... everyday I check the computer trying to find more and more information about him. If you know how is he doing, please post it. Also, is it possible to adopt him? little Angelo needs a lovely family and I am willing to help.
Please inform me when there is a Trust fund set up in little Angelito's name. erotter@susd.org
Thanks
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